Terry Goddard Commends FDA’s Decision on Alcohol Energy Drinks

(Phoenix, Ariz. – Nov. 13, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard today applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for recognizing the potential harm to the public posed by alcohol energy drinks.

The agency sent a letter today to 30 beverage makers that gives them 30 days to produce evidence that the combination of alcohol and caffeine is safe.

“This is a very important step by the federal agency entrusted with ensuring the safety of these products,” Goddard said. “The FDA should move quickly to take all necessary action to protect consumers, particularly young people whom the manufacturers of these products are targeting with their marketing.”

Alcohol energy drinks are alcoholic beverages which contain caffeine and other stimulants, such as guarana.

Earlier this year, Goddard, along with several other Attorneys General, urged the FDA to examine the safety of these products.

In a letter submitted by the Attorneys General to the FDA, scientists and medical professionals who have conducted research in this area stated that the use of caffeine and other stimulants as additives to alcoholic beverages poses public health and safety risks. The scientists pointed to recent studies that confirm that caffeine appears to mask, but not reduce, the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Combining alcohol and caffeine may lead to increased risk-taking and other alcohol-related problems such as traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault and suicide.